Summer Update

 Wow, I am incredibly behind!  We have a new computer now but for a while we only had our old 2006 computer and it was very slow and loading pictures almost always put the thing into shock.  But now we have a new one and blogging will be much easier!

A lot has happened since I last blogged.  June was a nice quiet month around here.  The kids played outside and we just enjoyed the lazy summer days.  Porter turned 5 in June and he had his first friend party.  We did a Jake and the Neverland Pirates party.  It was so much fun!  We had 8 little boys!  I was a little worried but it turned out fantastic!  He had such a great time with his friends.  This Superman cape was one of his favorite gifts.

 

 We spent the 4th of July in Twin Falls with my family.  My niece Lily was baptized.  It was wonderful to have all the family together and to enjoy the weekend.  Kasey kept us busy with lots of water activities and we loved every minute of it.

 The kids and I spent a few weeks in Ashton during July.  The kids always love going there in the summer.  They played restaurant and house in the playhouse. And we were in the water all the time, between Sand Creek and our friend's cabin.  Brinnley has become quite the little fish!  Ainsley and Porter are getting more and more comfortable in the water all the time.

 We had a wonderful visit with cousins from Minnesota, Maddie, Nora, and Hayden.  They were there for almost a week and we loved it!  The girls were sad to say good-bye to their new friends.

 Porter was able to go on his first day out with Jen since he turned 5 this year.  They went on an urban safari and Porter still talks about it.  Jen sure knows how to make memories and make the kids feel special.  They always enjoy that time with just Aunt Jen.

 The girls started school August 22 and Porter started August 30.  They were so excited to be back in school.  August was quiet around here because all the other neighbor kids started school the end of July (track system).  They were ready to go back and see their friends.  Ainsley was a little nervous because she is in a portable this year, but I think that now she's used to it she likes it.

Porter had the hardest time staying home that extra week while the girls went to school and he stayed home.  He is in afternoon Kindergarten, so he doesn't start till 12:30.  Poor little man had his shoes and backpack on at 9:30 and was ready to go.  The longest three hours of his life I am sure!  He loves school and is doing well.  I didn't cry but did have a little panic attack when I watched him walk through the doors.  I just kept thinking "What am I going to do without my little Buddy to keep my company?"  But we are in a routine now and I am doing much better!

That was a very glossed over version of the summer, but something is better than nothing.  We did have a great summer and I loved having my kids home and spending time with them.  I miss them when they are gone all day long!

Second Grade Life Cycle Program

 May 16 was Brinnley's second grade program.  Their program was all about life cycles.  I took the first picture of Brinn before the program started, and I am so glad I did because...

This was my view during the program.  And if the lady in front of me shifted in her seat, I maybe had a view of Brinnley's nose.  But the program was so fun! 

Since I didn't get a very good shot during the show, I had Brinnley sing her class's song when she got home.  (Each class had their own song they performed as well as group songs.)  SO cute!

May Days

 The beginning of May we had some beautiful weather.  The first Saturday of May we drove up American Fork Canyon.  We stopped at this fun little lake to get out and let the kids play. 

 They had fun running in the sand and throwing rocks in the water. 

 Then they noticed the rocks behind Brinnley.  Ainsley started inching closer and closer.  Then she looked over her should.  Chant and I were standing back watching her, just waiting for her to make her move.  After one quick peek to see that no one was watching, she stepped out onto the rock in the water.  She was doing pretty good, but when she tried to jump from the second rock to the third...

 This is what happened.

 Then the other two thought it would be a good idea to follow.  We had three muddy little kids.  But at least they were still smiling.

May 1st was super windy!  Brinnley and Porter got out the kite and they were doing awesome!  They were outside a long time flying that kite.  So much fun for them.  Glad they could figure it out; I have still never flown a kite. 

Go Utes!

 For Christmas Jen got the family Pass of all Passes.  Our first family outing using our passes was to the Utah baseball game April 27th.  They played the Nashville Sounds at the Bees Stadium.  We had awesome seats behind home plate. 

 Sporting their new fedoras.  Looking good!

Chant and the random man :)

 me and Jen

 I think Ainsley thought she was pretty hot stuff.

 These two were deep in conversation about baseball terminology.

 Gran and Will.

 After the game the kids all got posters and they were able to have the whole team sign them.  That was pretty exciting!  Porter received a lot of compliments on his hat. 

We had a great day at the old ball game! 

Hanging out with my Buddy

 I have been watching Canyun at least one day a week since January 2012.  He was only 2 1/2 months old when I started watching him.  It has been so fun to watch this little guy grow.  My kids love him and they get so excited when Canyun comes over.  We have our routine and he has his favorite toys and things to do.  I love this stage, the year and a half mark.  They are just so fun!  Canyun is such a sweet, fun little boy. 

I had to get the camera out because this was so cute.  Brinnley was vacuuming and the boys were huddled on the couch.  Porter covered Canyun with pillows and blankets to "keep him safe" from the vacuum. 

And this was adorable.  Porter was playing a game on the I-Pad and Canyun climbed right up so he could see too.  He had been leaning over to see the screen, but Canyun noticed me and sat back.  These two little boys are good buddies.  They love playing together.  When Canyun came in the door the other day, he saw Porter and just started giggling.  It was so cute.  He's just a part of our crazy crew. 

Program

April 16th was the 1st grade program at school.  I forgot my camera, so when we got home that afternoon I had Ainsley choose her favorite song from the program and sing it for me.  Can I just say I love this little girl!  She makes me smile.  The program was very cute.

Sunday, April 14 after the kids were all ready for church, they started playing Primary.  They set out chairs just like in the Primary room.  They took turns giving talks and reading from the Friend magazine.  It was so cute.  I love it when they play pretend like that.   

We Can Be Together Forever

 April 5th was a very exciting day for our family.  My brother, Kasey, and his family were sealed to my nephew Brent.  Brent was adopted earlier this year and now it was time to really make him a part of the family.  The spirit in the sealing room was so strong and I am so grateful I was able to be there and witness it.

(Brent, Luke, Lance, Kasey, Tracy, Lacey, Lily)

 We love this little boy so much.  She has so much personality!  Congratulations Kasey and family! 

Let's Go Ride a Bike

Last summer we asked Ainsley if she wanted to try taking the training wheels off her bike.  She was really nervous about it and so we didn't push it.  But this year she was ready.  She asked if Daddy would help her learn how to ride a bike.  March 30th Chant and Ainsley headed outside on a mission.  And within minutes she was taking off on her own.  She was ready.  She took a couple minutes to figure out how to turn corners, but she was an pro.  And she hasn't slowed down since.  She loves riding her bike!